Second Battle of Champagne

The Second Battle of Champagne was a failed French offensive that was launched against the Imperial German Army in northern France from 25 September to 6 November 1915 during World War I. 450,000 French Army troops under Joseph Joffre and Philippe Petain took part in a massive offensive against the 220,000-strong German 3rd Army. Twenty French divisions faced six German divisions that were dug in, and the German front lines were broken in four places. Only untrimmed barbed wires prevented the French troops from advancing past their goals, although the French had suffered heavy losses. In late September and early November, the Germans launched counterattacks against the French, and the French forces were repulsed with heavy losses. Joseph Joffre's reputation declined as a result of the defeat, but he would remain in command of the French forces in World War I until 1916.